If you work on a construction site, then you’ll likely know just how much the weather can impact your day-to-day operations. This includes an increase in slips, trips, and falls to workers, which is one of the biggest causes of workplace injuries, a complete stoppage of work, and damage to industrial equipment.
Damage to industrial equipment is something that must be avoided as it can cost your business time and money if it no longer works when the poor weather clears. Knowing how you can prevent damage to equipment is especially important in the UK due to its temperate climate, which means just about any type of weather can hit us throughout the year.
To help, we’ve put together a handy guide on all the different ways you can prevent wear during spells of bad weather, so you can be as productive as possible when it clears up.
What are the risks to your industrial equipment?
Before we go into all the ways you can protect equipment, we thought it would help to highlight the potential dangers you should keep an eye out for:
- Rain can lead to corrosion and deterioration
- Strong winds can cause equipment to fall from heights or into walls
- Cold air can cause metal parts to crack and become brittle
What can you do to protect industrial equipment?
Choose your equipment wisely
If you know which harsh weather you’re likely to face, then you should avoid buying materials that are easily damaged by this kind of weather. Instead, choose equipment that can withstand damage and operate in the worst of conditions. For example, ropes like these used for heavy machinery should be made from weather-resistant materials such as stainless steel. This should mean they resist corrosion and won’t break easily.
Find the right storage solutions
If you’re unable to work due to poor weather, then don’t leave your equipment outdoors as this could lead to deterioration. Try to find clever storage solutions on-site that can protect them from the elements. Some industrial equipment will be too big for storage, however, so you’ll need suitable covers to protect it.
Maintenance
Every machine will require maintenance now and again, but this is even more imperative should your equipment be hit by bad weather. Perform checks on the equipment before they’re used again and make any minor repairs that are needed. This should mean they operate efficiently and safely once you start using them again,
Know when to stop
You won’t want to use any equipment when bad weather strikes and although you’ll want to hit your deadlines, sometimes you’ll just need to call it a day. It’s better to do this than persevere as damage to your equipment or injuries to your workers can slow you down much more than stopping for a few hours.
Construction machinery prices are higher than ever, which means you won’t want to be forking out for new ones whenever the weather conditions worsen. Take advantage of our tips to keep you and your equipment free from damage.
